The Daraja girls have no plans to be part of the latter. With their business studies at Daraja – including guest speakers from Kenyan banks, business professionals from the United States and business plan workshops – they understand that they have the ability and knowledge to earn an income after high school by starting a small business.

“You can change your life with a business, even without going to university,” says Florence, a Form 3 student. “Or if I do get the chance to go to university, after university I can come back and make more money through my business.”

Florence has always dreamed of becoming a doctor, but she acknowledges that it will be a struggle to support herself through university. Since the business planning workshop with volunteers Jenni Prisc and Natalie Gore, the possibility of starting a business has become more realistic to her.

“When you start your own business, you make your own money – nobody else can claim it from you,” she says. “I will need some help to start, but that will make me motivated to start the business making sure I don’t mess up so I can make profit.” She imagines that as her profits increase, she will reinvest some of the money in her business, hire employees, help charities and start a bank account where she can watch her investments grow.

Florence’s mother (pictured below) never had the chance to get an education and become self-sufficient; she has always relied on her husband for money. Florence is going to become an earner who will be able to take care of herself and her family by using her education and her newfound business sense.

These girls ARE the Girl Effect and we know it… Now it’s time for the world to see that! Help Daraja win Nike’s Girl Effect challenge- an opportunity that will expose millions of people to the strength, perseverance and grace of the Daraja students.

vonate now. These remarkable girls deserve to win!